Drive-by pellet gun 06-19-06

MEDIA RELEASE

Big Island police are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the person(s) responsible for two drive-by pellet gun shootings over the weekend. Both shootings took place late in the evening Saturday (June 17, 2006) at the Kawaihae Shopping Center fronting Cafe Pesto restaurant.

Responding to an 11:37 p.m. call, officers discovered that an air gun pellet struck the victim’s vehicle causing a dent. Witnesses on the scene reported that at the time of the shooting, a newer model white Jeep Cherokee was driving out of the Kawaihae Small Boat Harbor.

While investigating the incident, officers learned that a second pellet gun shooting occurred while the officers were en route to the first scene. Witnesses reported that the second shot was fired about 10 minutes after the first one. That pellet is believed to have struck the Kawaihae Shopping Center building. Witnesses also reported that at the time of the second shot, a brown lifted GM-type pickup truck with large tires, running lights and a large “DO IT” sticker on the rear window was driving out of the Kawaihae Small Boat Harbor.

In both cases, officers recovered separate air gun pellets.

No one was injured in either shooting but several people were in the immediate vicinity during both shootings.

Police have initiated two Reckless Endangering investigations and a Criminal Property Damage investigation. They ask that anyone with information about either shooting call officer Paul Bugado of South Kohala Patrol at 887-3080 or the police non-emergency number at 935-3311.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. Calls to Crime Stoppers are kept confidential and are not recorded.